Last year, the Ankeny girls’ swimming team had three divers among the top 13 finishers at the state meet.
The Hawkettes might be able to duplicate that feat this season.
Even though Dasha Toth has graduated, Ankeny showed off its diving depth on Monday at the Johnston Invitational. The Hawkettes placed three girls among the top six finishers in the diving-only event at Summit Middle School.
“The girls opened with some strong performances,” said Ankeny coach Michelle Stout. “(Diving coach) Mandy Parton did an amazing job of preparing the girls for this early meet.”
Erica Peters, a three-time state diving qualifier, won the meet for the second year in a row. She racked up 459.90 points, finishing nearly 70 points ahead of runner-up Berit Kallemeier of Dowling Catholic.
Ankeny’s Hannah Kolars placed third with 380.40 points. Teammate Lydia Boehlert was sixth with 337.75.
The Hawkettes claimed the team title for the second straight year, finishing with 37 points.
“The girls dove well for our first meet,” Parton said. “It is not easy starting the season with an 11-dive invitational. They rose to the occasion, with Erica scoring above her 2020 state meet score.
“It was a great meet, and I’m very proud of the girls. I look forward to challenging them and expanding their dive list in the coming weeks,” she added.
Ankeny will open the swimming portion of its schedule on Aug. 31 by hosting a dual meet against Johnston.